Wanxiang America Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of China-based manufacturing company Wanxiang Group, will open a solar panel manufacturing facility and solar farm in Rockford, Illinois, according to the Illinois governor's office. The project is expected to create at least 60 new jobs, with the potential for up to 240 over time. The plant will be built at the Rockford International Airport, and Wanxiang plans to purchase up to 200 acres of property adjacent to the airport for the solar farm. "Wanxiang America appreciates Illinois' positive business environment and skilled labor force," says Pin Ni, the company president. "As the U.S. moves towards energy independence, our Rockford-based solar panel manufacturing operation and the jobs it creates will help Illinois remain at the forefront of the renewable energy industry." Wanxiang America is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and manufactures automobile parts and other industrial components. Construction on the Rockford facility is expected to begin later this year. The company has been offered more than $2 million in state incentives; BusinessRockford.com reports that an additional $1 million in tax breaks and 10 to 20 acres of free land has also been offered by the city of Rockford.